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A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

A nonprofit, independent news source to inform, inspire, educate and connect the St. Louis Jewish community.

St. Louis Jewish Light

Melanie Cytron

Dear Melanie

By Melanie CytronPublished November 10, 2010

Dear Melanie,Next year, I will be attending a small college with a very small Jewish population. The school has no Hillel or Chabad, and I'm worried that I might lose touch with my religion. I grew up observing all of the major Jewish holidays and celebrating...

Clare Burson "Silver and Ash"

“Silver and Ash” puts Jewish themes to music

By Melanie CytronPublished November 10, 2010

Move over Ingrid Michaelson and Sara Bareilles; there's a new indie princess in town. Her name is Clare Burson, and get this: not only is she Jewish, but her latest album, "Silver and Ash," was inspired by her two grandmothers' experiences as Jews living...

Fran Drescher

Fran Drescher fights for cancer awareness

By Mia KweskinPublished November 10, 2010

Most people know actress Fran Drescher for her nasally voice, big hair and fun outfits. However, Drescher's most notable attribute is bigger than any of her trademark quirks: the inspiration she brings to many people in the world. Drescher's personal...

Gus Thornton and Dean Minderman play a benefit concert at BB's Jazz Soup and Blues (Photo: Jake Weisman)

Teens discover St. Louis’ rich, historical blues music scene

By Jake WeismanPublished November 10, 2010

St. Louis has a rich and storied history of blues music, dating back to artists such as Scott Joplin and W.C. Handy, to more contemporary ones such as Chuck Berry, Big George Brock and Tina Turner, who launched her career here. With all this homegrown...

Kellin Hentoff-Killian is a young performer with the Circus Harmony group featured in "Circus Kids."

St. Louis International Film Festival introduces teens to diverse cultures

By Madison GinsbergPublished November 10, 2010

For 10 days starting Thursday, Nov. 11, St. Louisans will be treated to the wonders of foreign and independent cinema when the St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) kicks off its 19th year. Executive director Cliff Froehlich, artistic director...

photo courtesy of Elisa Recht

Elisa Recht balances music and motherhood

By Mia KweskinPublished October 13, 2010

For Elisa Heiligman-Recht, wife of Jewish rock star Rick Recht, a simple "Hello Elisa" greeting carries its own unique and frequent form, "Oh hi! You must be Rick's wife!" "[Being greeted as Rick's wife] doesn't even bother me. I love it when people say...

Teens' obsession with technology: harmful or beneficial?

Teens’ obsession with technology: harmful or beneficial?

by Kyla Gersten and Haley AbramsonPublished October 13, 2010

Pro  By Kyla Gersten These days when talking about technology, most people will inevitably mention teenagers. It is true – teens are obsessed with technology, but there are definitely benefits to this obsession. Technology greatly helps a number of...

TV show’s portrayal of Jews receives mixed opinions

Caleb EllisPublished September 8, 2010

Fox’s recent hit television series “Glee” has quickly emerged as a front-runner in a mess of shows offered nowadays. The simple charm and comedy that follows the misfits that make up the show’s glee club has attracted fans of all ages, backgrounds...

Sexting gone wild: who’s doing it and why

Akriti PanthiPublished September 8, 2010

Many teens continue to feel pressured to try drinking, drugs, and sex, but recently a new trend has been in fashion: sexting.The majority of us are familiar with alcohol, drugs, and sex, but what exactly is sexting?“Sexting is all about getting the...

Ohr Chadash staff

New Ohr Chadash leadership brings new vision

Abby Abrams and Madison GinsbergPublished September 8, 2010

It’s that time of year again: time to zip up backpacks and prepare for school, time to break out the sweaters, and time to begin the third season of Ohr Chadash.A new season means a new staff, and that’s where we, the 2010-2011 teen page editors-in-chief,...

Carmen Dence dances at the Festival of Nations

Festival of Nations fosters cultural awareness

Hannah CropfPublished September 8, 2010

For two days each year, Tower Grove Park is transformedinto a colorful, musical, cultural melting pot.This year, those days were Saturday, Aug. 28 and Sunday, Aug. 29. The event, appropriately titled the Festival of Nations, gathered enormous crowds for...

Hannah Stein

Innovative Shavuot celebrations reminder of Torah’s importance

Hannah SteinPublished August 9, 2010

The holiday of Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks, begins at sundown May 19. In communities all over the world, Jews can be found learning the Torah that our ancestors almost did not receive at Mount Sinai over 3,300 years ago.  According to Torah scholar...

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